The minister said that according to the constitution, Italy cannot join the commission because power would be exercised by a leader who would be above other members.

Italy says it cannot join US President Donald Trump’s “peace council” due to “constitutional restrictions”, the latest setback for the self-proclaimed “international peace-building body”.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the ANSA news agency on Saturday that the conflict between Italy’s constitution and the peace council’s charter was “insurmountable from a legal point of view” but that Italy would always be “ready to discuss peace initiatives”.

Italy, like many European countries including France, Germany and Britain, has not yet joined the controversial commission. green light The United Nations last year established it as the transitional governing body for post-war Gaza, then expanded its remit. All-purpose bread machine There was no mention of the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

Despite Italy’s decision close relationship Conversations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and peace council chief Trump raise growing concerns about mediators in global conflicts – roll out Last month in Davos, Switzerland, the U.S. president went on the offensive Greenland — aims to eclipse the United Nations.

Tajani pointed out that Article 11 of the Italian constitution states that the country may not join an organization unless it has “conditions of equality with other countries,” which is not the case under the charter that lists Trump as president. veto chairperson Has the final right of interpretation.

However, speaking after a “very positive” meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President Vance winter olympics In Milan on Friday, the foreign minister said Italy would be “ready to do its part in Gaza by training police”.

Tajani’s comments come as the committee, which is tentatively preparing for its permanent seat on the Security Council, has reportedly asked member states to pay $1 billion, leading to criticism that it is essentially a “pay-to-play” version of the United Nations. first meeting February 19 in Washington, DC.

The gathering will take place the day after Trump’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Saturday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a key Trump ally, said he would travel to Washington for his first board meeting “in two weeks.”

Last month, Trump invited about 60 countries to join the council. As of reporting time, its official website listed 26 countries that had joined, including Gaza mediator Qatar and Egypt.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed Trump’s plan last month, saying “the fundamental responsibility for international peace and security lies with the United Nations, with the Security Council.”